Archives

President's Lecture Series

Dr. Ruth Simmons, President of Prairie View A&M University

May 3, 20185 p.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Dr. Ruth Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University, celebrated San Antonio’s Tricentennial at St. Philip’s College. Simmons recounted her own challenges on her path to higher education, having been the 12th child born to sharecroppers in Grapeland, Texas, and implored her audience to remember how education changes communities and families. She was the keynote of a celebration that included San Antonio Symphony, Sam Houston High School Band, actress Antoinette Winstead and 22 local African American artists.

Grace (Gealey) Byers, FOX Empire actress and activist

February 6, 201711 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

St. Philip’s College invited FOX Empire actress and activist Grace (Gealey) Byers to speak during African American History Month. Byers was raised in the Cayman Islands by her African American mother and Caucasian father. Both of her parents are deaf and thus, she was raised learning sign language and understanding what it meant to be a child of deaf adults (CODA). Although people treated her parents as “deaf and dumb” and Byers as “too light” or “too dark,” these challenging experiences made her strong and committed to following her dreams.

April Hernandez-Castillo, a national spokesperson for the prevention of intimate and teen domestic violence

October 6, 201611 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

The 2016 National Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed with seminars and a Fall 2016 President’s Lecture Series address by actress and standup comedian April Hernandez-Castillo, a national spokesperson for the prevention of intimate and teen domestic violence. As a survivor of teen domestic violence, her business life includes giving back as a National Coalition Against Domestic Violence spokesperson, and a platform to connect with people on the topic. Hernandez-Castillo shared her wisdom as a victorious survivor in a Hispanic Heritage Month program themed Making Your Mess into a Message: Learn How I Survived Domestic Violence and Found Love, Hope, and Purpose. The event with Hernandez-Castillo helped SPC students reflect on the college's larger commitment to providing a supportive learning environment and to fostering, safe, healthy relationships among its students.

Reading Rainbow leader LeVar Burton

February 11, 201611 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

St. Philip’s College welcomed LeVar Burton as the guest lecturer for a Black History Month President’s Lecture Series program where the leader of Reading Rainbow traveled to Bowden Elementary School, also named for SPC President Emeritus and Saint Artemisia Bowden, to personally read to the students there. On campus, guests heard from and asked important questions concerning the business of literacy with Burton.

Jim Avila, senior network news correspondent

October 1, 201511 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

The 2015-2016 St. Philip's College President’s Lecture Series season of seminars and free public lectures began with Jim Avila, senior network news correspondent. The lecture series program for Hispanic Heritage Month of 2015 allowed guests to engage in a conversation with the person who since 1997 alone has informed the world by averaging more national news reports than any minority in American broadcast history. Avila’s 2015 professional journeys include service with ABC News and the Fusion streaming, online and cable news outfit that derives 68-percent of its traffic from mobile devices.

The Honorable Julian Bond, statesman and former NAACP Chairman of the Board (1998-2010)

February 5, 201511 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

St. Philip’s College welcomed The Honorable Julian Bond, an American leader of depth in movements for civil rights, economic justice and peace, as its final 2014-2015 season President’s Lecture Series speaker. The lecture series program for African-American History Month was an interactive conversation led by Bond on basic questions about both the historic journeys and future directions of civil rights movements in America. Always present on the scene of social change and leadership in America, Bond shared his perspectives and wisdom in response to audience questions on the meanings of leadership, equality, freedom and justice for all. For the benefit of guests, Bond also spoke of personally overcoming obstacles en route to successfully leading iconic social and political initiatives that have alternately benefitted, influenced and inspired many, from his early college days as a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to his efforts to give back as an elected official, a vice-presidential nominee and chairman of the NAACP.

17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006) Dr. Richard Carmona

October 9, 201411 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

The 2014-2015 St. Philip's College President’s Lecture Series season began with Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006). Guests enjoyed an interactive opportunity to engage in a conversation on the importance of community colleges and the desire for better health education in American society with Carmona. Carmona shared his personal story of overcoming obstacles en route to successfully leading medical and political initiatives that have alternately benefitted, influenced and inspired many. Speaking three miles from site of the special operations medic program he attended at Fort Sam Houston in the 1960s, Carmona helped the college observe the 65th anniversary of its nursing programs with addresses to 50 SPC Level 1 and Level 3 nursing program students in classrooms at the Center for Health Professions, his lecture for an audience of 575 guests at the Watson Fine Arts Center and a streamed program audience at the SPC Southwest Campus included providing fact-based responses to guest and press questions on global concerns following the historic October 2014 Ebola outbreaks in Texas and the deployment of U.S. troops to Africa in an Ebola-related humanitarian response mission. “The inspiration to invite Dr. Carmona to meet the college's students was deliberate and meaningful,” said St. Philip's College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston. “His life paralleled the lives of many of our students, including ethnicity, experiences with homelessness, hunger, health disparity, being the first in his family to attend college, and wanting to learn," Loston said.

FUBU founder and Shark Tank cast member Daymond John

February 13, 201411 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

St. Philip’s College welcomed Daymond John, an iconic global clothing entrepreneur who is one of The Sharks on the business-themed reality TV show Shark Tank as its final 2013-2014 season President’s Lecture Series speaker. The lecture series program for Black History Month was an interactive opportunity to hear John’s answers on important questions about entrepreneurship. John founded and led the FUBU clothing firm in 1992 as a mainstream apparel company for global consumers of hip-hop culture and apparel, using his fashion and merchandising industry skills to grow his business beyond the original small hip-hop apparel market of male African-American consumers aged 15-25. “Our lecture series is about bringing star-quality individuals to our campus for our students,” said lecture series host St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston. “When you have a hall of fame entrepreneur as your guest… he’s the one who can give the message our students can go away with,” Loston said.

Acclaimed journalist, Wil Haygood shared insights to his unique journey to The Butler – a story based on the life and experiences of Eugene Allen

October 23, 201311 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Dr. Loston hosted President’s Lecture Series speaker Wil Haygood, an author, journalist and film producer whose current project, The Butler: A Witness to History is the best-selling companion book to a hit film based on an article he wrote for the Washington Post.

The Maya Angelou of the Millennial generation---Azure Antoinette---Shares insights to change the lives of students

June 20, 201311 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

The Maya Angelou of the Millennial generation---Azure Antoinette---touched students during the final St. Philip’s College President’s Lecture Series event of the 2012-2013 season.

Antoinette’s verbal artistry often explores themes important to Millennials and the effects of social media on society’s collective humanity, and her St. Philip's College visit touched many. Azure visited as she was midway in a project with ABCFamily TV called "You Should Know This About Me". The campaign encouraged young adults to submit a paragraph, poem, monologue or video that represents something unique about them.

“I didn’t think I would be saying this because English is not my first language. However, I couldn’t wait to buy her book because she was here to sign it during her presentation and I wanted to start reading it right away,” said Tony Ramos, a student who enjoyed a class and lecture with Antoinette.

“There was one audience question in particular that made my eyes tear up,” said Ramos. “A young lady from the audience told Ms. Azure I'm a young woman who is in foster care and trying to go through college, what kind of a advice can you give on how to be successful as you are? Ms. Azure’s answer was I admire you already for making steps to better yourself, and going to college is one of them. Foster parents are amazing. They don't get as much credit as they should. My sister and I were adopted by my mother when we were babies, and all I can tell you is it is going to get better and better. Being adopted myself and her saying that made me like her even more,” Ramos said.

“I bought her book for signing at the end of her presentation. I was so excited because I was about to shake hands with my new role model,” Ramos recalled. “All I could say was I am also adopted. She replied, How is it for you so far? I said It has been wonderful and with that and tears in my eyes, I went home thanking God for a wonderful experience,” said Ramos.

“As a college, we encourage students and employees to share their unwritten and unspoken stories in writing and in words to reflect who they are and what they have accomplished over time,” said lecture series host St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston. “Our college’s leaders fulfill student requests to share their legacies in public forums so they know exactly whom they are learning from. We are also sharing our legacy through products such as our new oral history book, and live-online events such as Azure’s visit, which was a perfect fit for both our students and the public at large,” Loston said.

Educator and coach Herman Boone, whose journey is depicted in the Disney film "Remember the Titans,” shared his insight into a turbulent time in U.S. education and ethnic relations.

February 12, 201311 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Herman Boone shared his journey with students in a lecture based around his experiences as an educator and coach at Virginia’s T.C. Williams High School, and made famous with audiences worldwide in the Disney film “Remember the Titans.” Boone lectured on the power of education to empower individuals and affect social change. He shared how his experiences as an educator and coach in Virginia in 1971 have shaped his message of tolerance. He declared to the audience of 600 that only through the full integration of all ethnic groups throughout every layer of our society can we reach our full potential as a nation.

America’s first Hispanic female presidential campaign manager---Patti Solis Doyle---shares her unique insight into the most important U.S. political campaigns of the past 30 years

October 25, 201211 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Former Hillary Clinton presidential campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle led timely seminars for our students as she shared her unique insight into the most important U.S. political campaigns of the past 30 years. As campaign manager for Hillary Clinton for President, Patti Solis Doyle was the first Hispanic woman to lead a presidential effort in the United States. She shared her personal story of life on Chicago's south side as a daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, and her past and present involvement in American political campaigns. Solis told students, “If you are going to try to change the world and get slapped around for it, you need to find your balance.”

“The classroom was almost completely full, which set the stage for a really warm reception by my microeconomics students for Ms. Solis,” said faculty member George Katz. “The number one student benefit had to be their dialogue with Ms. Solis. What do you think Hilary is going to do? What about Bill being vice president? There were similar questions asked literally to the end of the class period. Students received what I felt were quality answers based on their questions. It’s through these types of visits that people learn to trust one another, and that makes a difference in both the short and long terms,” said Katz.

Barack Obama, Dr. King, and the Future of Civil Rights | Observing Juneteenth and the fortieth anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law with author Kevin Powell

June 26, 201211 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Our students enjoyed the academic opportunity of observing Juneteenth and the fortieth anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law from a fresh perspective with author Kevin Powell. His public seminar Barack Obama, Dr. King, and the Future of Civil Rights followed two classroom seminars for our English composition students and meetings with our leadership team. “America is not the country it once was,” said Powell, an author of 11 books, including the collection of political and pop culture writings, Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, and The Ghost of Dr. King: Blogs and Essays. “President Obama would not exist without great gains being made in this country. All who came before us had something to do with gains made in rights for women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, the poor… We need to learn how to uplift each other. What matters most is what we as a people do to transform themselves out of nothing in a way that says something about the spirit of America,” said Powell. “You could tell that there was something different about this man as he entered my class,” wrote English seminar student Marshall Shepard. “He interviewed rapper/actor Tupac Shakur for Vibe magazine, which I do take great interest in. Our final assignment on how to fix different societal issues interested him greatly, and he proceeded to ask around the room for everybody’s topic. He built a real connection with each individual he asked, especially with me. He stated that he loved everyone and that he holds no one to what they like, do and/or say because, we were all ‘brothers and sisters.’ You can tell he feels very strongly about what he says and believes. He most definitely opened my eyes to the idea that life is what you make it and not to give up so easily,” Shepard wrote. “My most important message for the English composition seminar students at St. Philip’s College was that it’s not enough to write. You must get on the internet and share your story,” Powell said, adding, “Students, thank you for having me.” The New York City-based author's diverse body of literary work includes articles, essays, blogs and reviews for audiences of Essence, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, Esquire, The Washington Post, The Amsterdam News and huffingtonpost.com. Powell was a founding staff member and senior writer of Vibe magazine.

February 9, 201211 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

We hosted seminars with an actor who brought several classic addresses of national hero Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to life as our college’s first President’s Lecture Series event of 2012. The interpreter of the life and work of Dr. King was Jim Lucas. His film and television credits include appearances in HEAD OF STATE; LADDER 49; NATIONAL TREASURE I AND II; SOMETHING THE LORD MADE; THE WEST WING; THE DISTRICT; 24; and THE WIRE. His public seminar Keeper of the Dream | The speeches of Martin Luther King followed two classroom seminars for our students and meetings with our leadership team. Knowledge of Dr. King’s words and deeds are as fundamental to today’s students as those of Frederick Douglass, Gandhi, Confucius or Plato were to students of previous centuries. Mr. Lucas inspired our students to sharpen their senses of inquiry into the many positive meanings of Dr. King in a thoroughly modern context. “Dr. King is my hero and the things he did were of significance to his country to help all human beings,” Lucas shared. “When I get into his words, I try to remind people that many still struggle to find food, justice, fair housing and loans at fair rates ... today.” Lucas’ father Curtis traveled from Houston to observing his son teach at our college. “I was crying and I sat wiping my tears away today,” Curtis Lucas said. “Our church in Louisiana was burned to the ground twice,” Lucas recalled of the 1960s civil rights struggle for himself and his son. “My son speaks from personal experience, which adds light and strength to his message. His talent is a gift, and he expresses it well.”

Victor Rivas Rivers and William P. McManus, Domestic Violence: It is Everyone’s Issue

October 27, 201111 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

We observed the 2011 National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with two seminars for students, followed by a Fall 2011 President’s Lecture Series address and an expo of resources, services and experts in domestic violence prevention. The address was co-presented by child advocate-author-actor Victor Rivas Rivers and San Antonio Police Department Chief William P. McManus. Their lecture topic was Domestic Violence: It is Everyone’s Issue. The intent of our observance was to provide education and services for all who wanted to learn from experts in national and local efforts to prevent domestic and sexual violence, a pattern of behaviors and tactics (physical, sexual, emotional and financial) which one partner exerts over another to maintain power and control. All had opportunities to learn of and think critically on diverse efforts in preventing, intervention, influencing public policy, research and funding in this area.

Juneteenth/Get on the Bus with the Original Mississippi Freedom Riders

June 16, 201111 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

St. Philip’s College hosted seminars, lectures and tributes led by original 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders Hezekiah Watkins and Patricia Baskerville Dilworth on the 50th anniversary of their landmark roles in generations of struggle to ensure equal rights for all Americans. “The huge audience was so attentive and appreciative,” a heartfelt Watkins reflected. “I was very surprised at the positive reception, even based on the receptions Freedom Riders have received at other colleges during our 50th anniversary observance. It was so organized here. Each person, little kids, walked up to me telling me how I said something that got their attention and inspired them. I said to myself, ‘they’re here to see and hear what we have to say.’ I’m really touched here.”

Activist Naomi Tutu, building gender coalitions

March 9, 201111 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

When she is not practicing as a consultant on equality and development in West Africa, or coordinating university programs on race, gender, and nonviolence in South Africa, Tutu is a single mother of two children in Tennessee who maintains a demanding global speaking schedule. Building gender coalitions across ethnic lines is the topic of Tutu’s address.

City of San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro speaks about cafécollege---his latest education initiative

November 30, 201010 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Mayor Castro will speak about his college experience, his newest project---cafécollege---and related educational initiatives targeted for San Antonio students in the coming years. “Cafécollege aims to fill in the gaps by providing information, technology resources and test preparation courses to better prepare students to enter college and ultimately create a stronger brainpower community in San Antonio,” Mayor Castro said recently. Mayor Castro's initiatives include a holistic approach to raising local educational attainment levels by increasing city participation in early childhood education, high school dropout prevention and comprehensive higher education counseling.

Actor Guy Peartree brings the brave work of icon Frederick Douglass into perspective for Juneteenth

June 17, 201010 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

The College’s President’s Lecture Series event is entitled Frederick Douglass: A Timeless Champion of Human Rights in 1859. The actor interpreting the life and work of banker, diplomat, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) is Guy Peartree. “Celebrating Juneteenth and celebrating the legacy of Frederick Douglass is a totally wonderful combination,” Peartree said. “I am repositioning my performance in San Antonio to address many different kinds of highlights of his career. I will draw on four different speeches to send an appropriate message about what Juneteenth means. This will not be just a performance about slavery and becoming an abolitionist, but more about the highlights of such Douglass speeches as The Ethnology of a Negro, A Self Made Man, and The Fourth of July,” said Peartree.

St. Philip's College Hosts Founder of Black Gospel Music Restoration Project

February 12, 201010 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

The founder of the largest collection of Black gospel in the academic world visited St. Philip’s College today. The founder of the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project is Robert Darden. Darden is a noted journalism professor at Baylor University, where he runs the music restoration project. Darden’s professional accomplishments include service as a Baptist deacon, an R & B drummer and former gospel-music editor for Billboard magazine. His research leads to definitive books on the world of gospel music. He spoke of how he spent a recent summer on the South Side of Chicago, listening closely to gospel music recordings people have not heard in 50 years for research purposes on his next book.

Tim O’Brien, a National Book Award winner, kicks off The Big Read at St. Philip’s College with a reading from his 1990 novel The Things They Carried.

September 21, 200910 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Designed to restore reading to the center of American culture, The Big Read is a nationwide initiative funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. The Things They Carried is a collection of inter-related stories that revolves around the American involvement in the Vietnam War. Written in an accessible, deceptively simple style, the award-winning novel appeals to a broad audience, from high school students to mature adults, asking these readers to examine how circumstance and memory shape the meaning of our lives.

Actress Kathryn Woods Brings the Brave Work of Icon Sojourner Truth

June 18, 200910 a.m., Watson Fine Art Center

Truth’s legacy was powerfully revived in April when First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the oversized bronze portrait bust of Truth that is the first sculpture to honor an African-American woman in the U.S. Capitol. Find out why in this special Juneteenth program at St. Philip’s College.

Aaron Tuley, District Manager: The Climate Project

March 26, 200911 a.m., Heritage Room

Tuley’s presentation will provide a broad-based scientific overview of the natural and manmade systems and processes influencing global warming. He will also discuss an array of global, national and local policies currently being developed to reduce the impact of global warming.

Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

February 18, 200910 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Dr. Belle Wheelan is St. Philip's College 2009 President's Black History Month Keynote Speaker and will discuss "One Woman's Story from the Eastside of San Antonio".

Bruce E. Miller, CEO and Port San Antonio President

November 4, 200811 a.m., Southwest Campus, Bldg. 3020

The Port under Miller’s leadership is a master-planned Foreign Trade Zone of aerospace, industrial and logistics complexes at the center of the NAFTA corridor between Mexico and Canada. Port San Antonio had a $2.5 billion economic impact and helped employ 17,152 workers in San Antonio in 2007, according to a UTSA study. Audience members are expected to ask Miller about growth going on at Port San Antonio, where St. Philip’s College is a primary provider of workforce education.

Donna Wyant Howell: "What Really Happened During Slavery!"

June 19, 200811:30 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Donna Wyant Howell is the foremost authority on the true-life stories dictated by thousands of former American slaves who were interviewed during the 1930s. Howell will share her insights as a world-renown compiler of The I WAS A SLAVE Book Collection.

Enrique Morones, President of Border Angels, Speaks on Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)

March 27, 200811 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Mr. Morones will speak on the topic U.S. Mexico Border & Beyond: A Debate on Immigration Reform. The speech is followed by a question and answer session with members of the audience.

February 27, 200810 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

November 11, 200711 a.m., Southwest Campus, Bldg. 3020

Reyes is president and owner of Reyes Industries Inc., a global manufacturer/exporter of textile and light metal products that employs 300 people. He is a Tier 1 supplier for Toyota of San Antonio in a joint venture that makes parts for Toyota’s Tundra trucks. Reyes spoke to the importance of people, businesses and communities connecting and networking.

Roya Hakakian, Acclaimed Documentary Film Maker and Writer

June 21, 20079:30 a.m., Watson Fine Arts Center

Ms. Hakakian will present on the topic Armed and Innocent: Children Soldiers of War followed by a question and answer session with members of the audience.